buying a tabc

[Art FitzGerald]

And Harry, I bought a truly basket case '38 TA in Montreal in 1971 for CAD250.00. Got serious about the restoration about 6 years ago and now have CAD60000.00 invested (including CAD 6000.00 for the paint job) and the car is not worth anywhere near that amount on resale. But I've met the challenge and it is almost ready to hit the road. As stated by others, it depends on your interest, time, commitments, desires, etc. Good luck!!!

Art FitzGerald

JohnHWSteedman@aol.com wrote:

Harry,

For what it's worth, I started with a 6000 basket case. By the time it gets on the road (next year?), I will have spent another 20,000 and 7 years' work getting it into (I hope) excellent shape. It will then be worth in the UK about 16,000.

You can get an excellent car in the market , recently restored for 12,000 to 16,000, so its all a matter of priorities - hobby, love of one's own struggles & mistakes, the search for your own dreams, ----certainly not economics!!

Cheers,

john Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.

[candahill@worldnet.att.net]

Harry, I bought my first TC as a basket case 11 years ago. I have been working on it ever since. I estimate that I have over $20,000 in it now and I've done almost all of the work myself. And it still has a long way to go before its on the road. I bought my second TC 4 years ago and drove it home for $12,000. I've had to do some work on it, but nowhere near $8000. My advice is to buy the best car you can afford. Or spend as much as you possibly can and still stay married - whichever comes first. Regards, Charles Hill

[murray arundell]

Hey I've got a mate down here in Oz with an absolutely brilliant TA 100% restored, just finished and ready to be shipped to a loving owner for the princely sum of AUS$30,000.00 or USD$15,000.00......... Just my 2c worth....... Murray Arundell

----- Original Message ----- [b]From:[/b] harryvan@eresmas.com [b]To:[/b] mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com [b]Sent:[/b] Wednesday, October 31, 2001 12:28 AM [b]Subject:[/b] [mg-tabc] buying a tabc Hello , Dear Folks Thanks very much for all reactions that I got on my demand on the list. But realy, this is not the news I wanted to know. When I am receiving all the mails every day, all arguing about tiny things as position of cables, even numbers of radiators( with all respect of the one who asks), I thought I would have another response about a such simple and general demand. Maybe, reading my mail again, I gave too little information on all of you to evaluate the car I want to buy, and I understand why you just can give me the information to buy a book and to read it.Obviously, I know already for a long time that reading books can make us a lot smarter, but I also know, that practical guys, with experience, can learn me even more in a few minutes than a book of thousand pages can do. Just imagine my feelings: I realy want to buy a tabc( don't ask why not a td or tf. this is maybe because I have a narrow mind), and as you all know, these are very rare to find overhere in Europe( Don't talk me about shipping it , etc. because I know from experience that checking it in America and shipping will cost me the price of a totally restored one). I am well bewared that I cannot have a tabc for nothing,but I have also seen some wich are sold as "totally restored, good engine, good gear shift, good clutch, etc). at realy amazing prices( up to 30.000 $), wich just can drive, OK, they are running, for another 500 miles, before doing all the costs, needed on a restoration project. Maybe, on former mails , I asked for needed technical skills, presuming( I am always very carefull) that my mechanical , electric, an coachwork skills are so small, but now has became the time to be sure of myself and start acting. I don't want to bore all folks with slow computers by adding pictures and explanation about the car I want to buy. For that I make the same mail to Mr Walter Prechsl, hoping he can put some of the necessary information on a certain part of the tabc site, so that you can see the car I maybe want to buy. Please, specialists, look the fotos and explanation, and tell me if I have to buy this car, yes or no,without any regrets afterwards to your adress. I take the risk, evaluating your information. The car shown is made out of a basket case for a few years, the price the owner is asking is 6000 pound sterling(He also mentions "any reasonabe offer, what the hell can that be). I know there is a marge, but can this car be restored ,costing price plus restoration works ,for aprox 20.000$ Please answer now very concrete. Hope very much to join you as a future tabc owner( If not , bull fighting also is a very fine hobby) PS I have lots of time to work on the project, I am a 46 years old retired person, of corse, living in Spain far away of help from my " friends". Harry Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.

[AJChalmers@aol.com]

I took the liberty of copying the list on this one. You responded I think to only those who responded to your first enquiry. I'm sure the rest would like to see the pics of the two cars. The first car is better than you initially indicated. A new body tub and proper work on the mechanicals made this a reasonable restoration for a first attempt. Most all missing bits are available from several sources in Britain or the US. The second car is certainly the rarer one and highly desirable for its rarity and looks. A friend here in California sold his superb car for $85,000. BUT - the car pictured would require major money and time to bring back from a state of near death. I've seen pictures of the car recently - can't remember where. This car should only be done by someone with a good deal of experience. It will only be worth big money if it's done very well. Unique parts are not readily available and might need to be fabricated ($$$) I would go for the first car but make sure the work done has been done well. What about the missing bits, such as fenders? Hopefully they are there.

[Paul Camp]

Harry Car No1 is NOT what I would call a basket case, a lot of work appears to have been done and if all the desriptions are correct even I (non expert) could be tempted with such a project !!! you obviously are prepared for the hard work and the satisfication will follow. As Bob Gruneau says go for it at 5000-6000 it appears a reasonable price. I just enjoy tinkering & Driving them! Paul TC3348 MGB

----- Original Message ----- [b]From:[/b] harryvan@eresmas.com [b]To:[/b] spook01@home.com [b]Cc:[/b] dairwin_2000@yahoo.com ; SCULPTART@aol.com ; cgrunau@pathcom.com ; alan@somex.freeserve.co.uk ; AJChalmers@aol.com ; PCamp@pearsons-enfield.co.uk ; Zissel-Kreuztal@t-online.de ; JohnHWSteedman@aol.com ; afitz@home.com [b]Sent:[/b] Wednesday, October 31, 2001 2:24 PM [b]Subject:[/b] buying a tabc Hello dear list members thank you for answering my request, and thank you very much for your patience, this is realy the last time i will bother you with my questions. Refering to your answers i write you this mail off list just to have a final advice .Your response will be very gratefull and final for my decision. Overhere I give you the fotos of the car I want to buy (as an attachment, sorry for the time to download),as well as the website where you can see my second option.( a tickford in bad shape, but as i think very complete). I know I can buy a restored car wich i can drive immediately, but i prefer the fun( or at the end maybe misery) of restoring a car wich is not running, unless if it don't end up in a financial disaster. Most of the work to do, i can do it myself(just the coachwork work can give problems, i think) At that time i am sure that i drive a car with all new parts, on wich I can rely.Time is not so important, also not the money to spend, unless it stays within "reasonable" proportions.I should realy hate to spend years and fortunes on it , and then be obliged to sell it unfinished. To make it a little more easy, i formuled a few questions. I take the freedom to ask to answer my questions , on the way you where in my place, following both sides, your common sense, but also your heart. - car 1 ( attachment joined) Is this car restorable on a normal way? Is there realy some important work done, as the seller claims? Can I find on a normal way(not much seeking, just buying) the missing parts( as far as you can see on the fotos)? Is the asking price of 6000 pouds sterling correct? -car 2 internet sites http://www.classicmotorauction.com/catalogue/front.jpg http://www.classicmotorauction.com/catalogue/side1.jpg http://www.classicmotorauction.com/catalogue/back.jpg http://www.classicmotorauction.com/catalogue/inside.jpg same questions The asking price is 5000 pound sterling, but all mechanical parts are totally ruined , i think Which one of the 2 cars you prefer?, not considering if it is a tickford or not, because that is something i don't care. or should i anyway buy a restored and running car? Please, answer me as if you were in my place, i'll take the final decision, gattering your ideas and mine. Very gratefull to you all HARRY

[Gene Gillam]

Hi Harry, please let us know, when your picts are posted. I bought my TC in 1993. It was a nearly complete and absolutly unrestored example. What means, that the car spent his last 25 Years in a barn. And why? Because the car was mechanically total worn out! I found at [b]every[/b] piece of the car marks from the last owner who makes everything to hold the car at the road. Let me show you some main prices from 1993 - 1996. Maybe it help to make the right decition. Price Examples: If you buy a basket case, you need new body wood, maybe some body panels (if rusted). Price: 3.500 DM (New body ~ 10.000DM)

Wheels and hubs are worn out --> Set of Wheels with tyres (5) --> 3.500DM Hubs: ~ 1.000 DM, incl. Stubaxles

Interieur: Mostly the leather has scratches and ruptures, the padding was down (or lost to mouses) A new set will cost you ~ 1.100 Pound

Engine: Complete overhaul --> 6.000 DM Minimum

Weather gear: Half tonneau / Hood / Sidescreen Covers / Carpet Set ---> 500 Pounds

Rear axle: Crown & Pinion Wheels ---> ~ 1.000 DM

Chromework: Probably more than 2.500,- DM (Windscreen frame / Mask/ Lamps / Horn and other small parts). Prices for restoring the parts, not for new ones!

Electric: Wiring loom --> 300,-DM

Gearbox: Overhaul ~ 1.000 DM (if you need no special parts)

Instrument overhaul ~ 500 Pound

Summary: ~ 25.500 DM & your work (more than 1.000 hours) & thousend small parts & paintshop & the basket case for 6.000 Pound.

Pro: After that project you know what you drive, you have earned a lot of how know. To be proud after that project.

Contra: ~ 2 Years hard work, high telephone bills, some horrible mail costs, research of rare parts, problems with paint shop / engine shop. Expensive journeys to England s autojumbles. Lost of two years driving fun. Lost of you family (probably for ~ 2 years, sometimes for ever).

b.t.w: I went the hard way

Greetings lozi (TC3762) Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.

[Wiedemeyer]

"One less TC on a scrapheap"?! When was the last time you saw an MGTC on a scrapheap? Don't worry; if you didn't restore that basketcase, someone else would have. Bob

Harry and others, I totally understand your feelings concerning restoring a basket case - and I applaud your decision to do so. I bought a basket case, rebuilt the tub starting with a wood kit, did 98% of all the body and mechanical work myself, painted it in my garage, and know all it's blemishes well. It may never win a prize in a car show because I love to drive it BUT IT'S ONE LESS TC THAT'S ON A SCRAP HEAP NOW!!!!!!!!!!! Good luck. Gene Gillam Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

[Van Malder Harry]

Dear list members Thanks to all for the information I got concerning buying the TA, (the Tickford and the white one that Walter put on the tabc site http://www.mg-tabc.org/hvm/hvm.htm) I evaluated your comments,made appointment with the owner,and see if I can buy the white one. Despite the negative reactions I got concerning the Tickford, I also stay intrested in this car. The seller is a british auction company, and they are keeping me busy, but without giving concrete information.You can se the car at http://www.classicmotorauction.com/catalogue/front.jpg http://www.classicmotorauction.com/catalogue/side1.jpg http://www.classicmotorauction.com/catalogue/back.jpg http://www.classicmotorauction.com/catalogue/inside.jpg Doesn't anyone of you know this car or knows who the owner is? I also find on the site of the british octagon club a complete list of (I presume) new parts for sale.Has anyone experience with the ordering of parts true this club, especially TA ,because I believe i'll need a lot of them. Sorry for thanking you so late( Walter Prechsl made me understand, and he was wright). Anyway,in all reactions from your side,you wrote "JUST BUY ONE," and that's what i'm gone do. HARRY